F-T Eastern Fall Yearlings Sale to Focus on State-Breds

Fasig-Tipton is revamping its annual fall yearling sale in Timonium, Md., for 2026, introducing a new format, date, and restored name to the Mid-Atlantic auction. The sale will once again be known as Eastern Fall Yearlings, reflecting the sale's deep roots and importance to breeders, owners, and trainers in the region—at a time of positive momentum for Eastern racing. "Fasig-Tipton has a long, storied history of selling horses in Timonium, and this sale has been an important fixture in this racing-rich area for decades," said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr. "There is a bright future ahead for the region, and we feel that now is an opportune time to reorganize our yearling sale to promote this regional momentum and bring renewed focus to the strength of Eastern racing and what it offers." Major regional developments, including new racetrack construction at Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park, mark the beginning of an exciting new era for the Midlantic and Northeast racing circuits. Other positive developments include a new Maryland Million starter bonus series throughout the year; a record 48 days of racing at Colonial Downs this year; and purse parity for New York-breds, now matching open company levels on the New York Racing Association circuit. "We are going to reorganize the catalog to bring increased focus to each of the state-bred programs represented in the sale each year," Browning said. "We are also shifting the sale to late October to tie it to Jim McKay Maryland Million day, an important race day that is also being enhanced for 2026." The reorganized Eastern Fall Yearlings catalog will spotlight the region's six state-bred programs: Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The catalog will be structured to provide each state-bred program with its own dedicated section, with all yearlings from that state grouped together. Each section will begin with an introductory page outlining that state's breeding and racing incentives. In addition, informational pages will detail the Delaware-certified and Virginia-certified programs, providing buyers with expanded insight into additional regional incentive opportunities. "This revised structure is designed to let every state-bred program shine," Browning noted. "It should be of particular interest to New York breeders, offering them a smaller but similar feel to our New York-bred yearling sale in the summer, as all the New York-breds are cataloged together." Sale Timing and Sponsorships This year's Eastern Fall Yearlings sale will take place Oct. 27, strategically scheduled around Jim McKay Maryland Million day, which will be held the preceding Oct. 24, at Laurel Park. "Conducting the sale around Maryland Million is a natural fit, connecting it with one of the region's most important race days," Browning said. "We are pleased to work with Maryland Million and hope this partnership will bring increased visibility to both of our events, at a time when Maryland Million is making exciting new enhancements to its program." As part of Fasig-Tipton's continued investment in and commitment to Eastern racing, the company will sponsor both March 14 divisions of the Sandy Bottom Stakes for older fillies and mares on the Virginia Derby undercard at Colonial Downs. Fasig-Tipton staff will be on-site at Colonial Downs to answer questions regarding the Eastern Fall Yearlings Sale and its new format.